Questions Authors Ask: To Blog or Not to Blog?

So you’re thinking of finally building that new author website. You’ve heard about the potential to connect with your readers and how important it is to have a professional site to market yourself. So should you add a blog to your site? You’re a writer, after all! Shouldn’t you be attracting people to your site and your work with your writing? The answer is yes…for some people. And for others, the answer is no. Consider the points below to determine whether or not blogging is a good option for you.

You Should Have a Blog:

1. A blog helps build your author platform

Your author platform is all those people you are connected to who will be interested in your next book. It’s the base of readers and fans you have. A blog can help connect you to those potential readers and fans. While people may be familiar with your printed words, or maybe your tweets or Facebook posts, a blog can really expand your platform as an author. It can offer a chance for your readers to really get to know you or your writing better. Readers who feel they have a relationship with you are much more likely to buy your next printed piece.

2. A blog gives you an outlet besides your book

Even though it’s very important to keep working on your main project, a blog can offer authors another creative outlet. It can help you hone your way with words. Especially if you’re 2/3 of the way through your transcript and writers block is creeping in, a blog can be a great way to stay in the habit of writing until inspiration strikes.

3. A blog can establish you as an expert in your field.

A well-done blog can do more than just imprint you in the hearts of your fans. It can also bring you respect from others in your field. You can write about topics that those in your field are interested in and develop a following that truly looks to you for leadership. The possibilities for influence can be vast if you’re writing worthwhile content. Every industry and niche needs people at the top advocating, educating, and inspiring. That could be you.

But then again, maybe you shouldn’t blog:

It’s been asserted that having a poorly-done blog can do more harm than a well-done blog does good. It’s important to consider the reasons why a blog might not be for you.

1. Writing a blog takes time away from your manuscript

A well-done blog takes time and commitment. If your schedule is barely allowing you the time to finish your main work, it might not be the best time to commit to another writing platform. Consider adding the element to your online persona after your manuscript is complete or when you’re in between big projects.

2. There’s the possibility you’ll be writing for no one

It takes time, consistency, and fresh content to attract readers. Therefore, it could feel like a waste of time if you pour your creative energies into a blog and the readership doesn’t show up. This can be a real discouragement for some new writers. If you’re going to take it personally if the only reader is your mom, or you think you’ll become obsessed with checking your subscription numbers, you should stay away from the platform. Writing can be a vulnerable profession; you must protect your confidence.

3. It takes time and consistency.

There are a lot of opinions about the frequency of posts necessary to be effective, but all sources agree – consistency is the key. So whether you’re aiming for once a week or 12+ a month, make sure you have the time and the motivation to stick with your pattern. A common pitfall is that writers begin a blog with a wealth of ideas, but after posting 6-8 great articles with little online response, the blog goes dormant for months. When readers or publishers look online for information about you as an author, a neglected blog can make you seem behind the times, flakey, or unmotivated.

Are you an author with a blog or one who has decided not to have one? How did you come to that decision and has it worked out well for you? Tweet me and let me know!

Ready for an author website that you can add a blog to? Let me help you build a custom author site that you’ll be proud to put your work on!

Tim O’Brien

Brad is a complete professional and a pleasure to work with — he’s intuitive, creative, responsive and reliable.

James Townsend

James Townsend, Author and Co-Owner of The Human Condition

Brad’s creative insight is easily accessible through constant communication and feedback. He’s concerned about your vision, and it shows in the final product. He has a consistent devotion to making your vision a reality.

Michael Herrod

I really can’t recommend Brad highly enough. He’s come through for us time after time, and always delivers outstanding work. His sites are beautiful and functional works of art. Brad has designed the websites for some of our biggest authors. You know he’ll deliver an amazing site, right on schedule.

Tom Mullen

After scouring dozens of author websites I contacted Brad – because his designs are clean and tight, and he is easy to work with. From inspecting his initial concept drafts, it was clear that selecting Brad was the right move.

Kirk Douponce

Emma Otheguy

Brad effectively translated my half-formed ideas into a beautiful website, and he gave me lots of choices and allowed plenty of feedback. He also did a great job making the web design flexible enough to evolve with my needs.

Jeff Ingber

Brad made the process of developing my web site not only painless, but positively enjoyable. His enthusiastic, “can-do” attitude permeated every discussion we had. I would recommend him to any writer looking to develop a web site!

Ona Russell

As an author, I wanted something that would showcase my books, but do so by telling a kind of story. And that is exactly what Brad accomplished. The finished product is beautiful, evocative and efficient, just like a great novel.

Traci Mann

Brad is an incredible designer. My book’s website is exactly what I wanted, even though I couldn’t even begin to articulate what I wanted before talking to Brad. Not only is the website wonderful, but he finished it faster than he promised, and he was great to work with. I am so glad I hired Brad for this project. I am absolutely delighted with the results.

Rolf Boone

Brad provided very clear and understandable (for those of us who are tech challenged) directions on the process, explaining the steps he would take to build and design the site, as well as the input he wanted from me, and the training involved once the site was complete. Brad, who has a sharp eye for design, ran with it and produced a great site. He does good work.

Dr. Robert Rosenthal

It was a pleasure to work with Brad at Apt Design. On the design front, his concepts were spot on, so we never got started on false trails. And he easily and accurately incorporated my feedback in a comfortable back-and-forth dialogue that resulted in a strong final product. I remain extremely pleased with the result.